"Aye," he agreed, but in a dull tone.

"They will take good care of you." She motioned to the two healers.

"Come back soon," he whispered, his dark green gaze pleading with her.

"I will, and I'll bring you porridge, which you must eat," she said in a mock stern tone.

"I make no promises."

***

A half hour later, Torrin lay propped up against pillows in bed while he imagined Jessie. Thoughts of her were the only things that distracted him from the piercing agony in his abdomen. The healers were excellent, of course, but, since the evening before, they had inflicted prohibitive amounts of pain upon him. Only the younger one remained in the room at present. Thankfully, the bandages were changed and they'd given him some sort of bitter herbal tea to drink.

When someone entered the room, he opened his eyes.

Jessie. Thank the saints. He'd missed her. She carried a tray containing a bowl and cup. Hell, she was going to make him eat. The very thought of food made him want to retch.

"You are feeling better, aye?" she asked with a little smile.

"Indeed." He could lie if it made her happy.

She set the tray on the bedside table. "Flora, would you like to go break your fast?"

"Aye, if you think you can handle his lairdship."

"If he gets too unruly, I'll send someone for you," Jessie said.

The healer grinned and left the room.

"Och. As if I could be unruly," Torrin muttered.

"Once you eat, you will feel stronger."

He hoped she was right, for at the moment he felt weaker than a two-day-old bairn. Though he hated for her to see him like this, it couldn't be helped. He'd much rather have her at his bedside than not. He thought she had stayed with him all night. A couple of times when he'd awakened, she had been there. Either that or 'twas a fevered dream.

"Did you stay with me last night?" he asked.

"Aye, of course." Her blue eyes reflected such devotion, he could hardly believe it. "Do you not remember?" she asked.

Another memory flashed through his mind like lightning—she'd whispered: I love you. Saints! Was it really true? He had seen the tears glistening in her eyes and heard the emotion thick in her voice. But he was afraid if he mentioned it, she would retreat and become defensive again. He knew she was but trying to protect her vulnerable heart. Knowing she loved him, he was so thankful he could dance. Well… he'd best not do that now. He might do himself grievous harm.

"I remember some of it," he said vaguely. "And I thank you for being here with me."

"No need to thank me." Holding the bowl of porridge in her hand, she used a wooden spoon to scoop some up, then held it before his mouth.

"I can use my hand," he said, lifting it, though it was slightly sore and weak. He'd be mortified if Iain or another man came into the room and witnessed Jessie spoon-feeding him.

She cocked her head sideways. "You don't like the way I do it?"

"Of course, 'tis only…"

"I want to help you," she said, the sincerity in her tone, as well as the beautiful emotion in her eyes, clutched at his heart.

"Very well. But if Iain or any of the men come for a visit, you must stop. They'll think I'm a bairn."

Jessie grinned. "Oh, I see. Stubborn male pride rears its ugly head again."

"'Tis a hardship I must endure," he said drily.

Shaking her head, she offered him the bite of oat porridge again, and he opened his mouth to accept it. His stomach almost rebelled, but he closed his eyes and forced himself to swallow.

"Delicious," he said. 'Twas not a lie; the porridge was slightly sweet and salty, with butter and honey, but his stomach felt like the pits of hell. He wasn't sure how many more bites he could tolerate.

He accepted another spoonful, and once he'd forced it down, he said, "While that digests, tell me what is happening around here."

She shrugged. "Three MacKay guards were injured in the same battle you were hurt in, but they are doing well. Erskine is still improving."

"Good."

"Iain came in to see you early this morn while you were sleeping."

"Very kind of him. He's a good friend."

"Keegan and Seona are happily married now."

"Indeed? How did that come about?"

"I'm not certain. 'Tis apparently a long story, but they've promised to tell me sometime."

When Dirk's party had stopped by Munrick several weeks ago, Torrin had suspected Keegan and Seona were more than a little smitten with each other. 'Twas obvious in the way Keegan attentively escorted her to the high table and pulled out the chair for her, and the way she smiled at him.

"I'm happy for them," Torrin said.

"Aye. Me, too." Jessie offered him another bite. His stomach was a little more settled now so he accepted the porridge.

"Would you like a sip of ale?" she asked.

"Aye. I like the ale here."

After giving him a drink of the bitter ale, she set it down and tore off a piece of bannock and held it before his lips. Leaning his head up, he opened his mouth and accepted it, his lips brushing her fingertips. Her touch was so soothing to him. He wished she would trail her fingers over every inch of his face and… the parts of his body that were not in profound pain at the moment. He remembered her stroking his face last night, both with the cool cloth and with her bare fingertips. It had taken his mind off the pain for a short time.

"I will have you up and around in no time," she said.

"Aye. Pull off your clothes and I might chase you across the room."

"Och. Rogue," she muttered, while trying to hide her smile.

"Just imagining that makes me feel ten times better."

She frowned and smiled at the same time, a fascinating expression that made him want to chuckle, but he couldn't. 'Twould be too painful.

"Now you are being unruly."

"'Tis what you like." He winked.

He was gratified to see the adorable pink blush spread over her cheeks.

"You're so bonny when you blush," he murmured.

"Cease your silver-tongued blather."

He started to laugh but a sharp pain struck his abdomen. "Saints, Jessie!" he growled. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts."

"I wasn't trying to make you laugh. Just lie back and relax. I'll be naught but morose and serious from now on."

Torrin ground his teeth. "You're doing it again!"

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Jessie called.

Iain stuck his head in the door, then entered. "You two are arguing? You truly have performed a miracle, Lady Jessie."

"Nay, 'twas only…" Jessie's face reddened even more, and Torrin simply relaxed and enjoyed it for a moment.

"She was trying to make me laugh, but 'tis too painful by far," he said.

"I wasn't. I can't help that he laughs inappropriately at things."

Iain snickered and shook his head, then eyed the bannock in Jessie's hand. "Has she been feeding you?"

"Nay. I'm fully capable of eating on my own," Torrin assured him.

"She's spoiling you. I can tell."

"I deserve it," Torrin said.

Jessie smirked and rolled her eyes.

"Indeed you do," Iain said. "I'm happy to see you're feeling much better."

There was another light knock at the door.

"Come in," Jessie called.